Kirk Cousins will start for Redskins, not Robert Griffin III

The Washington Redskins announced late Saturday evening that backup Kirk Cousins will start at quarterback on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in place of Griffin.

According to The Washington Times’ Rich Campbell, the team said their priorities were to see Griffin’s joint stabilize and not to risk further injury. Griffin was diagnosed with a mild LCL sprain in his right knee after being crushed by Haloti Ngata during last weekend’s win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Griffin indicated on Twitter that he was not happy with the decision.

“The decision was not my own… But I will be there for my team!!! In every way I possibly can,” Griffin wrote.

There is no word if Griffin will be active for the game and able to serve as the backup.

FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Friday that Cousins had taken all the snaps with the first-team offense during the week, so it’s no surprise to hear that the team is going with him as the starter.

Cousins completed both passes he attempted last weekend in relief of Griffin late in the game. He threw for a touchdown and ran for a two-point conversion to help send the game to overtime. Cousins is also a rookie. He was drafted in the fourth round out of Michigan State.